If you’re like most boat owners, you undoubtedly use your tablet or smartphone to take pictures and videos of your vessel. There are many options for how to document a boat in this digital era. Utilizing your tablet or smartphone allows you to take photos, make videos, and keep track of your maintenance data. One…
The USCG documentation number is the official number (ON) of a documented vessel. It stays with the boat for its lifetime. In some states, they allow state registration and federal documentation. Other states, however, do not let vessels to be identified as both a state registered and federally documented. However, if you live in a state…
Does it seem like you need US Coast Guard vessel documentation but you aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Are you concerned about doing something that you don’t have to do? Not every vessel owner must get their vessel documented. Yes, there are circumstances within which a vessel owner must document their vessel. That…
Finding the capital to fund your purchase of a yacht or vessel will often mean taking out a loan from your bank or credit agencies. Finding this type of financing often means making use of a preferred ship mortgage. This type of mortgage is unique to maritime lenders, and the lien which is placed on…
Do you run a business off of a boat that you own? If so, you’ll need to get a USCG Merchant Mariner Credential. Every person who runs a commercial vessel in US waters must have this certification. This article will guide you through obtaining your US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential. We’ll also tell you…
Does it feel like it’s time to renew your vessel’s registration but you aren’t sure? Have you felt a nagging in the back of your mind that it’s due yet you really don’t know? We designed the Maritime Documentation Center, in part, to alleviate those kinds of concerns. Really, we don’t believe that boat registration…
As the vessel owner, one of the essential responsibilities is ensuring that all of your USCG documentation is in order. When it comes to the United States Coast Guard (USCG), there are several different things you need to think about. You will require your formal Certificate of Documentation (CD), and that means you will also…
Are you unsure which USCG forms are right for your vessel? Does it feel like every year or so there’s another form of documentation you have to get for your boat and you aren’t sure what it is? That’s not just you. The truth is that vessel documentation can seem confusing and opaque even to…
The USCG has certain size standards that must be met before a vessel may acquire USCG documentation. Vessels must be at least 25 feet in length and 7 feet broad to be registered by the US Coast Guard. There are, however, certain exceptions to this. For example, single-engine powerboats with a length of little more…
Are you wondering where you can easily do your vessel documentation search? If so, the Maritime Documentation Center is the ideal place for you. As the vessel owner documented with the United States Coast Guard, you know how critical it is to have your documentation in order. Several pieces of paperwork need to be submitted…
US Coast Guard documentation (aka USCG documentation) has many benefits. It records your ownership with the government, provides you certain protections in foreign waters, can help with financing, and much more. It’s also a vital step for commercial vessels. Once successfully filed, the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) provides a Certificate of Documentation. This gives…
When you are preparing to purchase a boat from an owner or a broker you want to ensure that you do all that you can to have a smooth transaction. This means having all the information on hand that you’ll need regarding the vessel to make sure you are buying a good, working boat. Buying…
Do you know how you want to use your vessel but aren’t sure about the corresponding form of ship documentation? Are you filling your initial documentation application and have made it to Section J that asks for “Endorsements for Which Application is Made?” When you get your vessel documented, you have to pick an endorsement.…
Are you filling out your initial Coast Guard documentation and are stumped by section “J,” “Endorsements for Which Application is Made?” Do you feel unsure about which of those is right for your vessel and your needs? “Endorsements” are an important part of your documentation. In a very real way, they let the powers that…
Are you in need of boat documentation services? If so, then you are well aware of how essential it is to ensure that it is maintained in excellent shape at all times. This serves to keep you and your passengers safe while you are out on the water and contributes to the overall worth of…